Mar 14, 2011

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf

When teenager Allison Glenn is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind her reputation as Linden Falls' golden girl forever. Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child. Her former friends exult her downfall. Her sister, Brynn, faces whispered rumors every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school. It's Brynn—shy, quiet Brynn—who carries the burden of what really happened that night. All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her.

But then Allison is released to a halfway house, and is more determined than ever to speak with her estranged sister.

Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy. And if the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.

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Wow! I knew it, I knew that I was going to love this book. I whipped through Ms. Gudenkauf's first novel The Weight of Silence, so I had really high expectations for These Things Hidden. The book did not fail me.

These Things Hidden is told through 4 perspectives, Charm, Claire, Allison, and Bryn. From the description you get what the story is about, but you also know there will be twists and turns throughout the story. With so many perspectives being told you would think one of these characters would fall short, but they are all fleshed out, and written so well. As you read each chapter you slowly realize how these four characters are connected.

The plot unfolds delicately but timely. I didn't feel there were any fillers, and I never wanted to yell at the book "let's get a move on". I wonder if Ms. Gudenkauf figures out where she is going while writing or if she outlines and knows exactly where she wants the story to go.

A very heartwrenching emotional read that is well take a hold of you until the very last page.